“No question” that Aviva Canada plans to hike auto rates: CEO
February 20, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorThere is “no question” that Canada’s second-largest insurer, Aviva Canada, is contemplating country-wide rate increases in personal auto, Greg Somerville, the company’s president and CEO, told Canadian Underwriter Thursday. The cost of repairing vehicles with advanced technologies is one factor…
How ICBC can cut auto injury claims costs by more than $20 million
February 20, 2018 by Greg MeckbachBritish Columbia’s government monopoly auto insurer could save up to $27 million a year on claims costs and reduce the risk of legal disputes by taking on a “larger role” in designing plans to treat auto collision injuries, PriceWaterhouse Coopers…
Why driving safety tech doesn’t cut claims costs – yet
February 19, 2018 by Greg MeckbachSensor and computer technologies are supposed to make traffic safer but are indirectly increasing insurance claims costs, the head of Canada’s Number 2 insurer warns. Aviva Canada has observed a “double-digit” increase (meaning more than 10%) in property damage costs…
Drone collisions on radar of risk managers
February 15, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorA recent collision between a passenger plane and a drone has prompted Canada’s airplane accident investigation agency to warn of the risk of flying drones near airports. “The use of drones near an aerodrome or within controlled airspace poses a…
Intact sounds alarm on escalating collision repair costs
February 12, 2018 by Greg MeckbachEscalating collision repair costs have commended the attention of Intact Insurance, as company officials continue to express disappointment with the Toronto-based insurer’s financial results in personal auto. Company officials said they had “unsatisfactory” performance in personal auto, with the chief…
Two minor fender benders lead to $362,000 award for future care
February 6, 2018 by David GambrillA B.C. woman has received a court award for $362,102 in damages after developing a debilitating neck pain following two minor fender benders that occurred three years apart. Even though the court reduced the award from what the injured driver…
Excluded drivers can still claim accident benefits, court rules
February 5, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorDrivers excluded from coverage on their own policies can still claim accident benefits on the policies of other drivers, as long as they weren’t driving the vehicles from which they were excluded coverage, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled…
Arbitration filing deadlines trump law clerk “screw-up,” Ontario court rules
January 31, 2018 by David GambrillA law clerk “screw-up” is not an “extraordinary circumstance” that would allow an injured driver to circumvent the time limits for producing expert witnesses and documents in an auto accident benefits arbitration, an Ontario court has ruled. Margaret Cyr and…
Let the private market compete in British Columbia: IBC
January 31, 2018 by Greg MeckbachInsurance Corporation of British Columbia’s monopoly should end, Insurance Bureau of Canada said this week, but the province’s attorney general contends that competition will not result in lower premiums for B.C. vehicle owners. Opening up auto insurance to competition “does…
Nova Scotia court dismisses auto liability case — after an 18-year delay
January 22, 2018 by David GambrillWould you be prepared to wait almost two decades to defend your insured policyholder in an uncomplicated auto liability case? One insurer stuck it out for 18 years until finally, on Jan. 19, 2018, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia…
Risk management still a concern post-Lac Mégantic
January 22, 2018 by Greg MeckbachRisk management continues to be an issue for major Canadian railways, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said Wednesday in an investigation report into a freight train collision in Alberta. The report came just days before a jury acquitted…
Top 5 auto frauds in Manitoba last year
January 12, 2018 by Jason ContantManitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has released its top five frauds of 2017. The annual list is selected by reviewing a number of factors, including “sheer uniqueness of the fraud, financial savings for MPI and investigative excellence in unearthing the fraud.”…